About 99 ultra modern solar dryers have been installed in Odisha's Ganjam and Puri districts under the World Bank aided Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) for preparing most hygienic dry fish by women self help groups.
Different varieties of dry fish, popularly known "Sukhua", in a glossy and standardized food grade non-stinking package would be available soon, said Ajit K Patnaik, Additional PCCF and Project Director of ICZMP.
As per the plan, popular dry fish varieties which are in high demand due to culinary habits of local consumers, would be dried hygienically in these ultra modern solar dryers, processed and packaged by the women fisher groups under the brand name "Seafeast" and would find place on the shelves of the stores at Bhubaneswar, Patnaik said.
This packaging and marketing initiative is part of livelihood activities adopted by ICZM in Odisha to provide a crucial linkage to the marketing system for the marginal fishers in a dignified way, he said.
Currently, pilot testing of these hygienically dried and processed dry fishes is underway and this become available for the first time at the Adivasi Mela in the state capital from today.
The services of a special professional group has been commissioned by the State Project Management Unit of ICZMP to impart training to the fisher groups on uniform packaging process and facilitate the initiative to maximize returns for the fishers, he said.
